Stand-up comedian Chokoleit was clearly emotional when he was asked about showbiz columnist Cristy Fermin in an exclusive interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), at the fourth Star Magic Ball held yesterday, September 5, at the Rizal Ballroom of Shangri-La Makati. Cristy filed lawsuits against Chokoleit last August 31.

"Until she is asking for it, then I'll give it. I'll give what she's due. I'm just giving her the dose of her own medicine. 'Kung ayaw mong tumigil, e, di hindi na din ako titigil.' Ganun lang," Chokoleit said to explain his position towards Cristy.

The rift between the two surfaced in late August, when Cristy filed "unjust vexation" and "libel" cases against Chokoleit, after the stand-up comedian allegedly cursed the veteran columnist on his Twitter account. (CLICK HERE to read related story.)

For his part, Chokoleit said that his tweets were a justified reaction to the accumulation of hits against him in Cristy's columns. He added that he acted responsibly and that he knew the repercussions of his moves.

MEAN ACT. Chokoleit admitted that the final straw for him was when Cristy picked up material from YouTube that, he fumed, denigrated him and Pokwang. Apparently, Cristy used the material in the TV5 show Juicy, where Cristy sits as the veteran host.

Chokoleit is a close friend of Pokwang, who has also reportedly been the object of negative remarks in Cristy's columns. Pokwang is said to have gotten on Cristy's wrong side after the comedienne-host had a tussle with Willie Revillame, Cristy's friend and ally.

"It all started, like, when she picked that up," Chokoleit said, referring to the offensive YouTube material. "Hindi naman ako, e. Nanahimik naman ako, e. Marunong naman akong rumespeto."

Continuing his explanation, he said, "Dun ako nairita, sa thought na pinick-up n'yo pa yung YouTube thing na '20 Ugliest,' which I was No. 2, No. 1 si Pokwang.

"Nag-comment ako na, 'Nahiya naman ako na ikaw yung nag-report, na para bang— maganda ka ba?' Para bang, 'Mean na nga yung material, pinik-up n'yo pa? Ang mean-mean ninyo.'"

Defending Pokwang, Chokoleit said: "Kasi si Pokwang, nanay 'yan, e. Anong sasabihin sa mga, kunwari, 'Ay, yung nanay mo...,' ng anak niya. Ako rin, na para bang sana pinabayaan na lang ninyo yun."

Chokoleit speculated that the tweet which might have irked Cristy could be his Twitter post after Cristy utilized the YouTube material for her show. In his post, Chokoleit said Cristy should have taken top honors, not Pokwang.

"Dun, I believe, napikon siya. Sinabi kong, 'Buti hindi mo kinuwestiyon si Pokwang na dun, siya ang No. 1—dapat ikaw!' Yun bang nag-retaliate lang ako."

NO APOLOGIES. Answering Cristy's comment that his tweets were too much ("Hindi makain," Cristy said), Chokoleit said, "That's because, that much says kung sino siya."

To Cristy, Chokoleit had this to say: "'O, ngayon mo naramdaman ang nararamdaman namin noon pa. E, ganoon, alin doon specifically, alin dun? Wala kang masabi, kasi alin dun? Wala, kasi binabalik ko lang sa iyo kung ano sinasabi mo.

"'Pero, I won't be sorry, really. Bakit ako magso-sorry, e—mag-sorry ka rin. Puwede, mag-sorry ka rin?'"